African Cleaning Review MayJune '21

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May/June 2021 | R61.50 (incl. VAT)

Hygiene • Cleaning • Pest Control • Laundry • Facility Management Services

Sanitiser solutions that offer peace of mind

Study questions disinfectant use Hand hygiene protocols Steam for hygiene Commercial floor cleaning

contents MAY/JUNE 2021 VOL 22 NO. 3 Cover story Hygiene Systems, part of the Hyvest Group, is an international manufacturer and supplier of high quality hygiene dispensers and consumable products using innovative research and development teams from across the globe.

Hygiene Systems strives to produce the highest quality hygiene products needed by washrooms, retail, infant care and healthcare sectors. By utilising professional third-party distributors Hygiene Systems is able to deliver their exemplary product ranges into the South African and African market. Supplying a complete basket of hygiene products from aerosols dispensers, soap dispensers to sanitary bins, Hygiene Systems is one of the leading forces in the hygiene product market. Read more about the betasan hand and surface sanitiser range on page 9.

Opinion

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Industry News

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Educational

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Advertorial

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• Excessive use can be to your detriment

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• Virtual Summit recommends ventilation and single-use towels as key to safety in the new normal • Tork in strategic partnership with APIC • Cleaning show set to open its doors to an African audience • New training document highlights healthcare facility cleaning practices • Werner Pumps introduce service fleet support • CDC study calls into question the use of disinfectants • Hygiene Systems: Customer safety and peace of mind is imperative

Features

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Hand hygiene • Washing with soap vs using hand sanitiser • Not all solutions are created equal • Become the workplace hero your facility needs • Essity contributes to increased handwashing awareness

@AfricanCleanMag

AfricanCleaningReview

african-cleaning-review Publishing Editor: Johann van Vuuren +27 (0) 11 238 7848 or +27 (0) 72 611 1959 Email: africancleaningreview@cleantex.co.za Advertising: +27 (0) 11 238 7848 or +27 (0) 72 611 1959 Email: africancleaningreview@cleantex.co.za Operations and Accounts: Nandé Jacobs Email: africancleaningreview@cleantex.co.za All editorial contributions can be sent to the editor who reserves the right to publish editorial based on the strength of its content. No articles or photographs may be reproduced, in whole or in part, without written permission from the publishers.

Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in African Cleaning Review, e-squared publications and its agents can accept no responsibility for the veracity of the claims made by contributors, manufacturers or advertisers. Copyright of all material published in African Cleaning Review remains with e-squared publications and its agents.

Planned features for 2021 Feature sections in every issue: • Laundry and dry cleaning review • Facilities management review Jul/Aug issue: Editorial deadline 18 June • Window and façade cleaning • Healthcare cleaning and hygiene

Focus – Dry steam 17 • The power and benefits of dry steam for multiple industries • Effectively kill bacteria and viruses without chemicals • Leading international dry steam generators now in SA

Sept/Oct issue: Editorial deadline 20 August • Sustainable cleaning • Carpet care

Floorcare • The importance of having clean floors • Need to know facts about commercial floor cleaning

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Nov/Dec issue: Editorial deadline 15 October • Hospitality cleaning solutions • Washroom products and cleaning

Editorial

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FM Review

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Laundry Review

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• IPC: a brand new offering from GCE • Numatic: make floor cleaning a priority • Hako: offering a total industrial equipment solution • How to drive warehouse optimisation in a pandemic • Washrooms reflect a facility’s overall hygiene • The chemistry of laundry

People and Events

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African Cleaning Review is aimed at end users, contractors and suppliers of products and services to Africa’s Cleaning, Hygiene, Maintenance, Laundry, Pest Control and Facility Management Services industries. It is published every other month by: e-squared publications.

Tel: +27 (0) 11 238 7848 or +27 (0) 72 611 1959 PO Box 1976, Halfway House, 1685, South Africa Email: africancleaningreview@cleantex.co.za Website: www.africancleaningreview.co.za

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Entrepreneur profile NCCA elects new National VP Former cleaner becomes a primary school teacher Collaboration offers the best hygiene option

New Products

• Air purifier that eliminates airborne viruses • Foam soap secures new hygiene standard • Ultraviolet technology for health and safety in occupied spaces

Published by:

30 Official publication and media partner of:

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African Cleaning Review May/June 2021

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from the editor

opinion

Excessive use can be to your detriment

By Marietjie Swanepoel

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when microorganisms such as

Maintaining a new hand hygiene standard The COVID-19 pandemic has been a catalyst for improvements in hand hygiene and may have the added benefit of reducing healthcare-associated infections in future.

Proper hand hygiene is the most costeffective measure to prevent the spread of disease and infections. Every year the Save Lives: Clean Your Hands global campaign aims to progress the goal of maintaining a global profile on the importance of hand hygiene and to congregate people in support of hand hygiene improvement around the world.

Key to improving hand hygiene in your facility is to focus on top-of-mind awareness.

With this in mind, the hand hygiene feature starting on page 9 offers an in-depth perspective on issues including the use of hand sanitisers, meeting elevated user expectations, handwashing technique and improving handwashing consciousness.

On World Hand Hygiene Day 2021, celebrated on May 5, the World Health Organization (WHO) called on healthcare workers and facilities to achieve effective hand hygiene action at the point of care.

Considering the mass rollout of COVID-19 vaccination campaigns, this call could not have been more relevant.

Other features include a closer look at the use of dry steam across many industries to kill bacteria and viruses as well as insight of the facts about commercial floor cleaning.

Finally, with the imminent 3rd wave of the coronavirus pandemic becoming a reality, remember to spread the ‘cleaning for health’ message to further bolster the importance of professional cleaning as an essential element of achieving a new hygiene standard.

Enjoy the read.

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bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites mutate in ways that render the medications used to cure the infections they cause, ineffective. When the microorganisms become resistant to most antimicrobials they are often referred to as “superbugs”. Inappropriate use and overuse of antibiotics are the primary driver of antibiotic resistant microorganisms.

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n order to understand the correlation between AMR and the indiscriminate use of disinfectants and sanitisers during the coronavirus pandemic it is important to offer an insight of the origins of AMR. And to explore how the fight against COVID-19 will impact on the further development of AMR.

Origin of “superbugs” It all started when British scientist Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in the 1920s which led to the start of the antibiotic era. By the 1940s pharmaceutical companies started production of penicillin for commercial purposes and it became widely accessible to the general public. However, the excitement about antibiotics was mitigated by a phenomenon called antibiotic resistance when healthcare professionals realised that in some cases penicillin was not effective against certain strains of Staphylococcus Aureus (bacteria that causes skin infections). Thus the first generation of “superbugs” was born.

Antimicrobial products to the rescue...

Driven by the fear of “superbugs”, products flooded the market and consumers were bombarded with toothpaste, soaps, washing powder, dishwashing detergents and hand lotions: all containing antibacterial agents. People wanted to eliminate

these “superbugs” from their surroundings at all cost. The US Centres For Disease Control (CDC) issued a warning that no additional health benefits has been proved when using anti-bacterial products. In fact, the CDC urged the general public to use these products responsibly, as overuse can alter a persons’ natural microflora and it could even negatively influence immune systems.

With the above in mind, there is general concern that the overuse and inappropriate use of disinfectants and sanitisers during the coronavirus pandemic could lead to an increase in the number of anti-microbial resistant species we encounter. There are further concerns that the high release of biocides and antibiotics used during the pandemic could have a negative impact on the environment. This includes an impact on wastewater, surface waters, soils and sediments. A practical example is the fact that China reportedly dispensed at least 2000 tons of disinfectants throughout the city of Wuhan from the outbreak of the pandemic until March 2020. Can the impact of this drastic action be imagined?

Misinformation and a lack of understanding of virus vulnerability to cleaning processes spiked peoples fear for the unseen. Disinfectant tunnels, fogging and substandard disinfectants and sanitisers flooded the market.

The CDC once again had to issue urgent warnings to protect vulnerable

opinion individuals and reiterated the fact that spraying individuals with disinfectants in tunnels, cabinets or chambers is not recommended under any circumstances.

During April 2021 the CDC recommended that people rather use soap and water for environmental surface cleaning as it will reduce the bioburden on surfaces and decrease the risk of infection. The CDC only recommended disinfection of surfaces if someone tested positive for COVID-19 in a facility, or in high-risk areas.

Visiting a shopping centre and receiving too little of the unlabelled sanitiser product at the entrance brought me to the final question: What is the impact of all these unlabelled, unregistered, sub-standard, non-regulated, easily dispensed products we are currently (over)using to (over)disinfect and (over)sanitise in the long term?

In misusing sanitisers and disinfectants during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are most likely helping the evolution of strains of microorganisms that are not only drug resistant but also disinfectant resistant. The misuse and incorrect use of disinfectants raises the question of whether this resistance will translate to antibiotic resistance.

Common ingredients in many cleaning supplies and hand sanitisers include toxins such as hydrogen peroxide, benzalkonium chloride and triclosan that are toxic and the use of some of these compounds have already been linked to an increase in anti-microbial resistance. As a hygiene auditor, I walk around sites and I am often shocked to notice ignorance when it comes to the use (abuse) of (unregistered and substandard) disinfectants. It is an alarming reality that if a microorganism develops insusceptibility or resistance to a certain disinfectant, it may also be unresponsive to antibiotics.

New research published by Science Translational Medicine warns that

several strains of bacteria already started adjusting to alcohol-based hand sanitisers and are becoming “tolerant”.

When hand sanitisers don’t contain the recommended 70 percent alcohol as recommended by the WHO, strains of bacteria can survive.

As cleaning experts, we should educate ourselves and our customers on the correct usage of disinfectants and sanitisers. We must evaluate the risk areas of the environments and areas to be cleaned as there are no additional benefits in the use of disinfectants in normal office environments. Disinfecting offices and schools that were closed during lockdown results in the exploitation of people’s trust and is an irresponsible action. We should rather consider disinfection of touch points during the pandemic.

In South Africa, disinfectants and detergent-disinfectants must comply with the standards as set out by the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications Act (NRCS) and should be registered with the NRCS. SABS approval of hand sanitisers is not compulsory but recommended. The standard applicable for hand sanitisers in commercial use is: SANS 490:2020 and deals with “alcohol-based hand sanitisers and hand rubs” and the amended version of SANS 289 deals with the labelling and general requirements of the product.

This assures consumers that a product has been verified against a high-quality standard.

How much of a good thing is good?

The general recommendation is to go back to the basics. Washing of hands with soap and water as per WHO recommendation rather than reaching for the sanitiser is advised. When using a registered sanitising product, it is imperative to cover all areas of your hands (just as you will do with soap and water). Apply the product to the

Marietjie Swanepoel palm of one hand and rub it all over the surfaces of your hands until your hands are dry. Sanitisers should not be wiped off before it has dried. According to the CDC, sanitisers take about 30 seconds to kill germs. Use a NRCS-registered disinfectant only when needed and rather revert to good cleaning principles. The methodology of cleaning is far more important rather than trying to create a “germ-free” environment.

The use of sanitisers and disinfectants should be with the same caution as the use of prescription medication.

When looking back, we see how fear for the unknown can result in panic and misuse of products which has an effect on human and environmental health.

Tapping into past wisdom and recent scientific information it is advisable to stick to the basics: be informed of the situation and products, use products responsibly and according to product guidelines. Spread information, not panic.

Marietjie Swanepoel has over 25 years’ experience in the cleaning industry, specialising in environmental cleaning in commercial and healthcare facilities throughout South Africa. She can be reached at: marietjie@msconzult.com

Advertise in the primary African trade magazine for the commercial cleaning and hygiene sectors.

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African Cleaning Review May/June 2021

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industry news Virtual Summit recommends ventilation and single-use towels as key to safety in the new normal

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rofessionals working in the procurement and catering industries across Europe joined the virtual summit ‘Tissue Paper, the Smart Choice’ held in May to learn how to keep their businesses safe and hygienic in the post-pandemic era.

The free-to-join summit was tailored to the needs of purchasing decisionmakers in the HORECA (Hotel, Restaurant and Catering sectors), and structured around three tracks – Hygiene and Safety, Sustainability and Consumer Insights. It offered delegates a wealth of sound advice

on new approaches to make their businesses safe and viable in 2021 and beyond.

COVID-19 has brought the importance of health and hygiene into sharp focus and ‘Tissue Paper, the Smart Choice’ gathered expert microbiologists, sustainability professionals and HORECA specifiers in sharing strategies that work. The speakers explained the science behind their advice and responded live to audience questions.

Host Adam Fields kicked off the summit with a session on the Science behind the hygiene benefits of paper tissue. It featured leading experts Professor Marc Van Ranst of KU Leuven and the Rega Institute for Medical Research; Keith Redway, Emeritus fellow in the department of biomedical sciences at the University of Westminster; and Professor Mark Wilcox of the University of Leeds and Leeds Teaching Hospitals. These speakers shared their knowledge and the results

of their own, peer-reviewed research on the significant differences in dispersal of viruses and bacteria between different hand drying methods. The scientists were united in their advice that the use of single-use towels to dry hands following handwashing, together with good ventilation, were the keys to maintaining staff and customer safety and limiting the spread of infection – even when there is not a pandemic at large.

This echoes the latest advice from the World Health Organisation (WHO) in the May issue of the Journal of Hospital Infection which recommends that alcohol-based products or tissue paper should be used when washing and drying hands at the point of care. The WHO 2021 World Hand Hygiene day – ‘Seconds Save Lives: Clean Your Hands’ – was celebrated on 5 May. All presentations can be viewed here: www.europeantissue.com/tissue-paper

Tork in strategic partnership with APIC

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ork, an Essity Brand that offers professional hygiene products, announced a strategic partnership with the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), the largest association for infection prevention and control (IPC) professionals. Tork has signed on as a 2021 APIC Strategic Partner.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 633 000 hospitalised patients acquire healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) each year and 72 000 die during their hospital stay. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the importance of providing state-of-theart education and support services for professionals in infection prevention and control was further reinforced.

The APIC Strategic Partner Program establishes long-term relationships with industry partners united in the common

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goal of reducing the risk of infection.

APIC Strategic Partners play an important role in supporting many of the educational initiatives and services that benefit APIC’s almost 16 000 infection preventionist (IP) members fighting on the frontlines against the spread of harmful microorganisms and viruses, such as C. diff, MRSA, and SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare facilities.

“Tork is pleased to partner with APIC to help prevent the spread of infection and expand education and resources for IPs. We share APIC’s patient safety mission and hope this partnership will help to strengthen APIC’s efforts to create a safer world through the prevention of infection. As we are dedicated to creating safe care environments, it is critical to provide the best education and training available, therefore we have developed a complete suite of

resources to support this essential group of professionals”, said Deborah Chung, Healthcare Marketing Manager at Essity Professional Hygiene.

“We are excited to welcome Tork as an APIC Strategic Partner,” said APIC CEO Devon Jopp. “Together, APIC and Tork will work together to improve healthcare outcomes and advance education and certification for IPC professionals.”

The APIC Strategic Partner Program is a formal partnership between APIC and industry partners united in the common goal of reducing the risk of infection. Partners play an important role in supporting many of the programs and services that make APIC membership so valuable.

For more information visit: https://apic.org/apic-strategic-partner-program

industry news Cleaning show set to open its doors to an African audience

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leantex Africa, the leading cleaning and hygiene show on the continent announced Prime Cleaning Suppliers as the Gold Sponsor for the 2021 event.

Prime Cleaning Suppliers is a leading South African cleaning-solutions supplier, established in 1996. The company has spent a number of years building strong brands, many of which have been tested by the SABS 1828 and 1853 standards and carry their mark of surety. Prime Cleaning Suppliers has an ongoing commitment to ensure the best long-term solution to their customers and represents the following brands: Aquarius, Kleenex, Scott, Wetrok, Wypall, and Rubbermaid Commercial Products. Prime Cleaning Suppliers’ complete cleaning solutions offering also include paper products/dispensers, cleaning chemicals/disinfectants and cleaning sundries.

Celebrating 23 years since inception, the Cleantex Africa international trade exhibition will this year collaborate with the South African Pest Control Association (SAPCA) thereby adding a pest control exhibition and the SAPCA Cleantex Summit to the event program. The shows and summit will take place from 2 – 4 November 2021 at Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg and will include several industry association talks and presentations.

The coronavirus pandemic raised the profile of cleaning and hygiene to an entirely new level with the implementation

of strict hygiene protocols. Therefore, this multi event, one venue initiative is ideally primed to showcase the latest innovations to an African audience.

To exhibit or for more information about Cleantex Africa or the SAPCA Cleantex Summit email, nande@cleantex.co.za and SAPCA members, email hilda@sapca.org.za

African Cleaning Review May/June 2021

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industry news New training document highlights healthcare facility cleaning practices

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ealthcare in South Africa is often in the news for the wrong reasons. Infrastructure, poor hygiene, limited resources and staff shortages are commonly the focus.

However, the lack of quality training is often one of the factors contributing to the high infection rate in healthcare facilities.

“Proper training and implementing correct cleaning practices is one of the easiest ways to prevent infections. The lack of training and adherence to correct practices pose a big risk, something which can lead to causing real harm,” says Emma Corder, MD of industrial and healthcare cleaning solutions provider Industroclean.

To be effective, environmental cleaning activities must be implemented within the framework of an infection prevention control program. With this in mind, Industroclean identified the need for a comprehensive document focusing on the standard operating procedures for cleaning in healthcare facilities, specifically on the methodologies of cleaning.

A training manual was developed in partnership with MS Consulting, a consultancy with experience in training, cleaning and the undertaking of audits in healthcare facilities. It was launched during May by means of a webinar hosted by Industroclean.

“The manual is designed to assist with best practices to improve and standardise the implementation of cleaning methodologies in patient care areas,” says Marietjie Swanepoel, owner of MS Consulting.

The manual is easy to use and understand, and focuses on the link between infection control and environmental cleaning in healthcare facilities. It includes handwashing posters updated according to WHO guidelines and basic cleaning principles, and the prevention of cross contamination is in line with the Centres for Disease Control’s guidelines for cleaning in healthcare facilities.

Different risk areas in healthcare facilities, the routes of transmission

and the chain of infection and how good cleaning practices and effective hand hygiene can break the chain of transmission, are some of the topics covered in the manual.

The document also highlights the important role healthcare cleaners play in creating a safe and clean environment for patients, healthcare staff and visitors.

For more information or a preview version of the manual email: info@industroclean.co.za

Werner Pumps introduce service fleet support

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o ensure that customers receive not only top-quality machinery, but reliable and helpful aftersales service and support, Werner Pumps, leading South African design, manufacture, supply and maintenance specialist in high-pressure jetting equipment has created a service fleet of three vehicles. MD Sebastian Werner explains that the fleet is available to service Werner Pumps’ customers in the field should they experience mechanical or electrical faults.

Werner says that the decision to create a service and repair fleet is

based on the company’s constant drive to solve customers’ challenges, remove frustrations and provide a one-stop shop. “We’re always asking our customers what they want and need, and then we try to deliver that.

It’s one of the reasons we manufacture our equipment locally – so we can customise it to customers’ specific requirements. We believe that the reason we have repeat customers is the fact that we give our customers what they need to support their businesses.”

Werner Pumps offers a range of 100 percent South African manufactured

high-pressure jetting and vacuuming trucks and trailers, a comprehensive range of accessories and spares, as well as customer operator training.

For more information visit: www.wernerpumps.com

Promote your company in The Source of Workplace Hygiene Solutions!

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educational

CDC study calls into question the use of disinfectants

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n April 5, 2021 “Science Brief” from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) appears to call into question the amount of surface disinfecting necessary to quell the spread of COVID-19.

According to the CDC, while it is possible to contract the disease by touching COVID-19 contaminated surfaces and then touching your nose, mouth, or eyes, the chances of this happening are “generally less than one in 10 000.”

Further, effective handwashing can reduce these chances even more.

In most cases, the Brief concludes, transmission of the virus is through the inhalation of airborne droplets.

In addition, it states that on most surfaces, there is a “99 percent reduction in infectious SARS-CoV-2 and other coronavirus concentrations within 72 hours. Concentrations of infectious SARS-CoV-2 on outdoor surfaces could be expected to be lower than indoor surfaces because of air dilution and movement, as well as harsher environmental conditions, such as sunlight.” The degradation may even be faster because many studies

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are not conducted under “real world” conditions.

“While the study does not call into question the need for surfaces to be kept clean, it does call into question the use of disinfectants,” says Stephen Ashkin, America’s “Father of Green Cleaning”, and the cleaning industry’s leading advocate for sustainability. The study goes beyond just questioning the use of disinfectants, stating they are all too frequently misused.

“There have been increases in poisoning and injuries from unsafe use of cleaning products and disinfectants since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic,” according to the CDC Brief.

“Some types of disinfection applications, particularly those including fogging or misting, are neither safe nor effective for inactivating the virus unless properly used.” While the study does suggest surface disinfecting may help prevent transmission of the disease within households, there is still little scientific data to support this claim.

According to Ashkin, the big takeaway of this latest report is that “we are likely over disinfecting.

It is unnecessary; it is proving to be unhealthy for people, including cleaning workers, and certainly not healthy for the environment.”

As an alternative to placing such emphasis on disinfecting, “effective cleaning and effective handwashing is likely all that is necessary to slow the spread of this disease.”

Stephen P. Ashkin, founder of The Ashkin Group, is known as the Father of Green Cleaning. An author and a frequent public speaker, Steve’s commitment to Green Cleaning is more than a business: it is a passion, a calling, a mission in life – to transform the professional cleaning industry.

advertorial Hygiene Systems

Customer safety and peace of mind is imperative By: Keith Littleford

Poor hand hygiene practices during the winter months are a major cause of colds and flu, resulting in absenteeism in the workplace. Absenteeism in the workplace costs South African businesses approximately R16 billion per annum.

This, together with the prospect of an imminent third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, has prompted businesses to demonstrate to customers and staff just how serious they are about hand hygiene safety.

betasan hand and surface sanitiser

betasan lanyards

betasan 10L hand sanitiser station

Hand sanitising has become part of our daily lives, hand sanitiser dispensers stand at the entrances to facilities and the ever-present personal hand sanitiser bottle now plays a major role in our businesses today in an effort to reduce the cost of absenteeism. Going forward, for reasons of good hygiene, these should be part of our lives forever.

The betasan™ product range is well ahead of the competition as Hygiene Systems has been selling sanitiser for 10 years prior to the coronavirus pandemic and, as a result, betasan™ has had the time to formulate and perfect the product according to South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for both business and personal use.

The betasan™ range of hand sanitisers consists of a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol formulation and is now available in a variety of innovative dispensing solutions, thus ensuring peace of mind for you and your customers.

The betasan™ lanyard, fitted with a 50ml or 100ml personal hand sanitiser spray bottle, is the perfect tool to demonstrate this safety commitment. The lanyard-sanitiser combination ensures that employees always have a personal hand sanitiser available and creates top-of-mind awareness amongst customers showing that good hand hygiene practices are followed, thereby creating customer peace of mind.

In order to demonstrate the implementation of safety barriers, betasan™ freestanding sensor sanitiser dispensers should be positioned at store entrances for customers to sanitise their own hands when entering a store. This practice will save valuable time for staff members who typically have to stand at the entrance spraying customers hands.

Hygiene Systems will soon launch a new 10 L betasan™ hand sanitiser sensor stands for those high-traffic areas, giving businesses two options suited to their foot traffic volumes.

With the combination of the COVID-19 pandemic and the approaching cold and flu season, it is vital that businesses as well as staff and customers be extra vigilant and implement a safety barrier in order to create an environment where people feel safe and are safe.

For more information, visit: www.hygienesystems.com

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feature hand hygiene

Washing with soap vs using hand sanitiser Each year the Save Lives: Clean Your Hands global campaign aims to progress the goal of maintaining a global profile on the importance of hand hygiene and to congregate people in support of hand hygiene improvement around the world. For World Hand Hygiene Day 2021, celebrated on May 5, the World Health Organization (WHO) called on healthcare workers and facilities to achieve effective hand hygiene action at the point of care. This could not have been more relevant considering the mass rollout of vaccination campaigns in many countries. The article by Clare Knight previously published in News Medical, offers valuable insight of the importance of hand hygiene, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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ur hands can be a critical vector in the transmission of infectious organisms.

Infectious viruses can persist on surface materials for several days and are easily transferred between surfaces and hands upon contact.

When we touch our face, the infectious pathogens can enter the body through mucus membranes in our mouths, eyes and nose, and travel to the throat and lungs. Given that the average adult touches their face

approximately 20 times per hour and is particularly likely to rub the nose or eyes, it is clear why hand hygiene has received renewed attention during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What are the recommended preventative measures for COVID-19?

Practicing good hand hygiene is a simple preventative strategy that most people can easily undertake, and many studies have demonstrated

the effectiveness of hand hygiene in preventing the transmission of infectious pathogens, including respiratory diseases. There is a vast array of different hand hygiene products on the market, many of which were in short supply globally at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic following a surge in demand from consumers.

Key times to clean hands Pre-pandemic, public health systems have communicated that hand cleaning should take place before and after preparing and eating food; before and after wound treatment; after using the toilet; after touching animals; and after touching garbage. During the pandemic, it is recommended to also clean hands after touching your eyes, nose, mouth, or facemask; upon entering and leaving a public space; and after touching surfaces in public areas.

What are hand hygiene products?

Soap and water Currently, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advocates for handwashing with soap and water as the most effective way of preventing the spread of COVID-19, and have published the following guidelines for effective handwashing:

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feature hand hygiene a minimum of 60 percent alcohol to remove the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In 2019, the FDA ruled that a product can only be marketed as a hand sanitiser if it contains ethanol, benzalkonium chloride or isopropanol as the active agent. All three chemicals are types of alcohol that destroy pathogens in a similar manner to soap: the alcohol molecules bond with the pathogen’s lipid membrane and break the virus apart.

Which approach is better at preventing virus transmission?

1. Wet hands thoroughly and apply soap.

2. Lather hands thoroughly, including backs of hands, between the fingers and under the nails.

3. Scrub hands for a minimum of twenty seconds.

4. Rinse hands well under running water.

5. Dry thoroughly using a clean towel or allow to air dry.

Soap is an amphiphile, meaning it is a chemical compound that possesses both water-loving and fat-repelling (hydrophilic) and fat-loving, waterrepelling (lipophilic) properties.

Soap dissolves the lipid membrane surrounding the coronavirus particle, causing the virus to fall apart and die before it can enter a host cell and replicate.

Hand sanitiser If you do not have access to handwashing facilities, the CDC recommends hand sanitiser containing

Public health systems across the globe recommend thorough handwashing with soap and water as the first defence against disease transmission.

People tend to spend time lathering and scrubbing which allows the soap enough time to break down the virus.

Handwashing with soap also dislodges dead microbes and viral cells from the hands and washes them down the drain. This reduces the likelihood of infection via face-touching and reduces the possibility of cross-contamination of surfaces.

Crucially, handwashing reduces all forms of infectious pathogens and removes potentially dangerous chemicals such as pesticides from the hands. Whilst hand sanitiser kills germs, they remain on the hands.

Sanitizer is also less effective against certain viruses and bacteria.

Hand sanitiser does however have an important role to play in preventing virus transmission when handwashing facilities are either unavailable or inconvenient to access. For this reason, alcohol-based hand sanitisers are used throughout various healthcare settings.

Numerous studies have shown that the introduction of sanitisers in clinical settings significantly increases adherence to hygiene protocols among staff.

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, hand sanitiser offers an accessible method for employing sanitising stations in public spaces such as supermarkets to help prevent transmission of the virus, for example through the touching of shopping carts and food packages.

Effective handwashing relies on access to a clean running water supply; therefore, hand sanitiser can prove a valuable disease prevention tool in populations with limited water supplies. In 2017, it was estimated that over a quarter of the world’s population does not have access to basic safe sanitation services.

Effectiveness depends on proper use Regardless of the approach taken to hand hygiene, neither method will offer adequate protection against the spread of infectious pathogens if they are not used correctly. Taking the full twenty seconds to scrub the hands with soap during handwashing is critical, as this allows adequate time for the soap to dissolve the membrane surrounding the virus. It is also important to ensure that enough soap is used to create sufficient lather to cover all areas of both hands.

Hand sanitiser should be rubbed in thoroughly until the hands are dry and, again, this should take at least twenty seconds. A common mistake is using too little sanitiser to cover both hands which is likely a result of dispensers tending to release too little in a single pump. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends using at least a coin-sized drop.

Clare Knight graduated from the University of Cardiff, Wales with first-class honours in Applied Psychology (BSc) in 2004, she has gained more than 15 years of experience in conducting and disseminating social justice and applied healthcare research.

Sources/further reading: • Aiello, A. E., Coulborn, R. M., Perez, V., & Larson, E. L. (2008). Effect of hand hygiene on infectious disease risk in the community setting: a metaanalysis. American journal of public health, 98(8), 1372–1381. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2007.124610 • Alzyood, M., Jackson, D., Aveyard, H., & Brooke, J. (2020). COVID-19 reinforces the importance of handwashing. Journal of clinical nursing, 29(15-16), 2760–2761. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.15313 • Kampf, G., & Kramer, A. (2004). Epidemiologic background of hand hygiene and evaluation of the most important agents for scrubs and rubs. Clinical microbiology reviews, 17(4), 863–893. https://doi.org/10.1128/CMR.17.4.863-893.2004 • Kratzel A, Todt D, V’kovski P, et al. Inactivation of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 by WHO-Recommended Hand Rub Formulations and Alcohols. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2020;26(7):1592-1595. doi:10.3201/eid2607.200915.

• Pickering, A. J., Boehm, A. B., Mwanjali, M., & Davis, J. (2010). Efficacy of waterless hand hygiene compared with handwashing with soap: a field study in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene, 82(2), 270–278. https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.2010.09-0220

African Cleaning Review May/June 2021

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feature hand hygiene – Rubbermaid Commercial Products

Time to reconsider hand hygiene as not all solutions are created equal The past year has seen unprecedented change for facilities across all sectors, from ever-evolving safety measures in workplaces and public spaces to higher expectations from your customers and employees when it comes to cleaning and hygiene.

Although the ambition across the world is to return to life as we knew it, hand hygiene now has a permanent place in the spotlight. In this article, Rubbermaid Commercial Products’ (RCP) Head of Marketing – EMEA, Paul Jakeway, explains why facilities must consider hand hygiene provision as more than a box-ticking exercise in order to meet elevated user expectations in the future.

Be visible to show you care The days of hand hygiene solutions being discretely confined to the washroom are over. In fact, the more visible your hand hygiene provision is, the better. The more people see it, the more trust you will build with your facility users, employees and customers, and the more confidence you will give them while in your facility.

Highly visible hand hygiene provision is a clear sign that you take health and safety seriously, and reinforces the reputation of your brand. And, if your solutions are visible, they also need to be good quality because poorly constructed or unhygienic provision will turn users away and damage trust in your brand.

Meet higher expectations Your facility users are more educated on hand hygiene than ever before, and they recognise sub-standard solutions

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African Cleaning Review May/June 2021

when they see them, so effective, high-performing solutions are a must.

While gentle solutions that kill 99.99 percent of germs will give confidence in protection, your choice of dispenser also matters. A recent consumer survey* showed that 92 percent of people prefer touch-free hand hygiene dispensers. No-touch delivery reduces the risk of contact with bacteria, making people feel safer when visiting your premises.

Choose performance day in, day out More frequent use of hand hygiene products may be good for building confidence in your facility, but it can also add to your costs, so choosing products that can withstand frequent use over a long period of time is essential.

At the start of the pandemic we witnessed businesses scrambling to purchase whatever products they could get their hands on. Now that the dust has settled, reliability and durability must be the key drivers when choosing future solutions. If you want performance day in and day out, even in the toughest environments, you need to choose products that will stand up to the test of time. More durable solutions, means more sustainable solutions.

Get serious about sustainability Despite the pressures of the pandemic, sustainability remains high on the public agenda and people want to see evidence that organisations are taking it seriously.

By choosing products that last longer, you can avoid having to replace them too

often, reducing waste and supporting your business’ sustainability aims.

As well as choosing long-lasting products, reducing the use of batteries in your hand hygiene dispensers lowers your costs while also being good for the environment – every year a staggering 550 million pounds of batteries go into landfills globally. For manufacturers like RCP, innovation in this area is critical to providing futureproof solutions. It’s why we looked closer at renewable energy when designing our battery-free LumeCel™ dispenser, which is powered by the light in your facility, eliminating the need to manufacture, use and dispose of alkaline batteries, a clear demonstration that you take sustainability seriously.

It’s no longer enough to just care about the environment, you need to show you care. For your customers, your employees and your visitors. All the people who look to you to keep them safer while on your premises.

In changing times and evolving workplaces, we protect what’s most important to you. And while keeping your people and your business safer, we look closer at reducing your costs, improving your sustainability and increasing your productivity. Control the growing daily complexities you face in managing your hand hygiene, waste management and cleaning with a partner you can depend on: Rubbermaid Commercial Products.

For more information visit: www.rubbermaidsa.co.za * Preferred to manual pump dispensers, based on 415 RCP Facebook survey responses.

African Cleaning Review May/June 2021

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feature hand hygiene – KCP

With a rising focus on workplace hygiene become the workplace hygiene hero your facility needs The current global health crisis has elevated the importance of workplace hygiene. As employees return to work they are placing their confidence in management to help protect their wellbeing. Today, perhaps more than ever, building and facility managers have an opportunity to showcase impactful leadership by developing workplace hygiene improvement strategies that can help to safeguard employees and customers.

By making strategic, science-based improvements, some surprisingly simple, you can become a workplace hygiene hero. Being a guardian of employee and customer well-being can help protect them as they transition back into the workplace.

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Your facility has various high-traffic, high-touch areas, such as lobbies, elevator corridors, dining areas, breakrooms and meeting spaces.

However, washrooms are likely one of the most visited public spaces in your building. For example, in office buildings, the typical worker visits the washroom three to four times per day1, making the washroom the single most popular place in the office to take a break2.

80 percent of global facility managers know that their office washrooms influence tenant satisfaction3, so developing effective washroom hygiene strategies can help to drive hygiene improvements throughout your entire facility.

Effective handwashing is essential to improving workplace hygiene in washroom and other high-traffic, hightouch areas. Promoting proper handwashing techniques among employees should be a top priority within your facility.

Given the strong preference for using paper towels, hand hygiene adherence would possibly decrease if paper towels were not available in the washroom, according to a review article in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings4: Drying hands with a clean paper towel can remove up to 77 percent of bacteria which remains after washing.

Additionally, dry hands can transfer up to 99 percent less bacteria to hard surfaces than wet hands.

feature hand hygiene – KCP

With the rising focus on workplace hygiene, the roles and responsibilities of building and facility managers are expanding in scope and importance.

Operational efficiency will always be a key objective, but hygiene is now the priority as many people prepare to return to the workplace.

As a workplace hygiene hero, you have an opportunity to help improve the hygiene of employees, customers and

everyone else who enters your facility.

Gone are the days where hygiene can be taken for granted. Today, hygiene improvements are likely what people are most curious about when returning to work. By becoming the workplace hygiene hero that your facility needs, you can help to facilitate and sustain a successful reopening.

For nearly 150 years, Kimberly-Clark has supported workplace heroes with

balancing costs, unlocking operational efficiencies and developing strategies to achieve clean hands and surfaces. Let us help you evaluate and implement the right hygiene improvement solutions for your workplace. Re-open your facility the right way, schedule a virtual hygiene site walk consultation with a KimberlyClark Professional expert by clicking on the link: https://home.kcprofessional. com/sa/hygiene-resources.

References: 1 KCP Elevated Washroom Omnibus Survey - Global, slides 5,17,29,41,53,65 2 KCP Elevated Washroom Omnibus Survey - Global, slides 5,17,29,41,53,65 3 KCP Challenger Omnibus Topline Report, slide 6, 2/2015 4 Huang C, Ma W, Stack S, “The Hygienic Efficacy of Different Hand-Drying Methods: A Review of the Evidence” Mayo Clin Proc, August 2012;87(8):791798, page 5, paragraph 4

Advertise in the primary African trade magazine for the commercial cleaning and hygiene sectors.

Reach your target market cost-effectively with a direct link to end-users, building service contractors, facility management and key institutional segments.

For more information regarding advertising / editorial / digital packages, email: nande@cleantex.co.za

www.africancleaningreview.co.za

African Cleaning Review May/June 2021

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feature hand hygiene – Tork

Essity contributes to increased handwashing awareness Hygiene and health company Essity strengthened their dedication to the Global Handwashing Partnership as a strategic partner. The Global Handwashing Partnership established in 2001 is a coalition of international stakeholders that work explicitly to promote handwashing with soap and recognise hygiene as a pillar of international development and public health.

Essity has been a member since 2017 and will now become one of the few strategic partners. Other members include government agencies, multilateral organisations, corporations, non-governmental organisations, Magnus Groth and academic institutions.

“Hand hygiene is essential for our well-being and with an ongoing pandemic we all need to do more to increase hygiene practices, now and in the future”, says Magnus Groth, CEO and President of Essity.

The initiative ‘Hand Hygiene for All’ brings together international partners, national governments, public and private sectors, and civil society to ensure products and services for hand hygiene are available, especially in disadvantaged countries and areas.

“The Global Handwashing Partnership is a core partner of the ‘Hand Hygiene for All’ global initiative, co-led by the WHO and UNICEF. Essity will contribute towards the goal that hand hygiene becomes normalised and habitual and thus achieving the vision of hand hygiene for all by 2030. Essity is an important partner with us in this initiative, sharing their thought leadership to support hand hygiene in schools and work environments,” says Ron Clemmer, Secretariat Director, Global Handwashing Partnership.

Essity’s Tork brand supports hand hygiene through products like paper hand towels, soap and sanitisers.

For more information contact: kirsty.collard@essity.com

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African Cleaning Review May/June 2021

focus dry steam

The power and benefits of dry steam for multiple industries

D

ry steam cleaning and sanitising machines have been around for several years, but only recently have they come to the fore.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 has brought about more awareness of the need for companies and public-serving outlets to comply with proper sanitisation best practices. There have been many studies done on the effectiveness of dry steam at over 160°C, in effectively combating bacteria and other pathogens.

Greater than 90% reduction in pathogen levels In an article first published on the US Government’s National Library of Medicine, it was found that a steam vapour (i.e. Dry Steam) system reduced bacterial levels by >90 percent and reduced pathogen levels on most surfaces to below the detection limit.

The steam vapour system provides a means to reduce levels of microorganisms on hospital surfaces without the drawbacks associated with

chemicals, and may decrease the risk of cross-contamination.

Food production – HACCP compliance A recent outbreak of listeriosis in a well-known food production facility in South Africa highlighted the need for eco-friendly solutions such as dry steam in combating bacteria hotspots without the need for expensive chemicals. continues on page 18 >>

Effectively kill bacteria and viruses without chemicals The Blue Evolution dry steam machines generate dry steam at a maximum temperature of 180°C. Dry steam also exceeds 80 percent humidity. In addition, the Blue Evolution machines have a patented UV light located below the water filter. Whatever pathogens are not killed by the dry steam get trapped in the water filter and are then zapped by the UV light. An optional HEPA filter is also available for even more protection against airborne pathogens. Food processing facilities, hospitals, hotels, supermarkets, storage areas, doctor’s rooms, offices, reception areas, restaurants and other public spaces will have to comply with stricter regulations during and post the coronavirus pandemic.

The Blue Evolution dry steam range of cleaning and sanitising machines can meet the requirements of these regulations in an environmentally friendly way, using water only. An additional advantage is that no toxic chemicals or disinfectants are required in the cleaning process.

For more information about Blue Evolution industrial dry steam cleaning machines, contact Henri at DrySteam Supreme, the Southern African distributors on 021 2000 224 or email: info@drysteamsupreme.co.za

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focus dry steam Swab tests done on areas that have been sprayed with dry steam always show a substantial reduction in microbial levels. Some brands of dry steam machines have HACCP accreditation.

90 ml of water per minute. Not only is this important for cost savings, but also in protecting the already strained water resources in South Africa.

Water savings

Older technology dry steam machines were only able to eject steam. Newer machines can do deep extraction from most surfaces, including upholstery.

Manufacturers are also starting to use complementary pathogen killing technologies such as water filtration combined with UV light sterilisation.

Any pathogen that is not immediately

One of the major benefits of dry steam cleaning is in water saving.

Food manufacturing or processing plants are notorious for using thousands of litres of water daily in order to keep their production equipment clean and sanitised. In dry steam mode, machines use as little as

Steam cleaning and sanitisation innovation

killed by the dry steam, is extracted from the air or surface and trapped in the water filter, where a powerful UV light leads to its demise.

In a post COVID-19 pandemic era it is expected that dry steam technology will see major adoption worldwide as the cleaning and sanitising solution of choice for many industries including food processing and manufacturing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, healthcare facilities, restaurants and supermarkets and in the automotive industry such as public transport operators and car rental firms.

DID YOU KNOW Dry Steam Cleaning is a sanitising method favoured by many food, beverage, and pharmaceutical producers as a high temperature, relatively dry, chemical-free process for cleaning production equipment in accordance with various codes and standards. The process was developed in Europe where concerns about high water use, chemical sensitivities, waste management, and stepped up hygienic standards led away from more traditional sanitising procedures – thomasnet.com

Leading international dry steam generators now in SA The versatile Tecnovap dry steam generating equipment range is now available through local distributors Kränzle South Africa. Tecnovap, based in Verona, Italy, is a leading manufacturer of high quality dry steam generators featuring infinite cleaning and sanitising possibilities.

“T

he specially selected singlephase range of machines are mainly suited to the contract cleaning, hospitality, healthcare, restaurant and vehicle detailing sectors.

The use of dry steam equipment is often overlooked; however, it offers a dynamic way of cleaning that is both cost-effective and efficient. Using dry steam to clean will result in less cleaning time, a reduction in chemical use and most importantly the ability to clean and sanitise simultaneously,” said Kränzle SA MD, Rod Dolpire.

In order to use the equipment effectively it is important to gain a

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thorough understanding of the dry steam concept and how it can be used as a highly effective method of cleaning and sanitising various surfaces.

Quality dry steam is produced from about 145°C upwards with a pressure of between 6 and 10 bar. The warmer the steam, the smaller the water molecules within the dry steam will be and the safer the technology is in use. Likewise, the hotter the steam temperature the better the bactericidal removal efficacy.

One can then conclude that dry steam generators with a low kilowatt heating ability and pressure rating below 6 bar, struggle to produce a continuous supply

of steam. This usually results in reduced cleaning efficiency that greatly cancels out the benefits of using dry steam as a cleaning tool.

Utilising steam at temperatures above 145°C safely removes microbes and organisms living beneath their own protective biofilm, which normally can resist the most powerful chemical agents for prolonged periods. Dry steam treated surfaces are left thoroughly deep cleaned, instantly ready for re-use and pathogen-free. This method of cleaning has the added benefit of not requiring any contact time either. The use of dry steam offers two major benefits:

focus dry steam Firstly, strong and very efficient sanitising power that kills microorganisms/bacteria by means of thermal shock. This greatly eliminates the bacterial adaptation or resistance that can occur with the repeated use of chemical disinfectants.

Secondly, due to the power of the micro drops of water being heated to a high temperature combined with the effect of added pressure, steam offers high cleaning capacity on the surface being cleaned. This offers an extra efficient cleaning method for complex surfaces due to the ability to clean areas that are difficult to reach using traditional cleaning methods or accessories.

The dry steam cleaning method also offers more economical and environmentally friendly cleaning technology, greatly increased by the fact that the use of detergent is required in only 20 percent of cases versus a 100 percent requirement in traditional methods.

Hotel facilities, residences and other forms of accommodation require special sanitary needs and the Tecnovap range of equipment provides an anti-allergic

and anti-mite tool and is perfect for deep cleaning, steam treatment of mattresses, pillows, carpets or rugs, armchairs, ventilation systems and much more.

The process of cleaning carpets, upholstery, freshening of curtains, blinds and mattresses has now changed considerably as the surfaces are left considerably dryer when compared to conventional carpet extractors.

This shows massive benefits for hotels, healthcare and building service contractors as it allows for quick turnaround.

The food processing and restaurant industries find that the use of dry steam greatly facilitates the deep cleaning of tables, stoves, grills, canopy filters and areas with built-up carbon deposits. Further application areas include cleaning of windows, mirrors, tiles and glass doors, sanitary ware in washrooms and tables, food presentation areas and other work surfaces.

The benefits of dry steam have long been experienced within the healthcare sector, which is constantly confronted

with the task of ensuring the highest standards of cleanliness in their respective environments.

Whether you require only steamers or a combination of steamer and wet/dry vacuum, the standard tooling supplied generally satisfies the cleaning tasks required of that machine. A broad range of additional accessories are available for specialised applications.

For more information about Tecnovap steam generators or for dealer enquiries, email: sales@kranzle.co.za or visit: www.tecnovap.co.za

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feature floorcare

The importance of having clean floors Creating a safe and healthy indoor space is key to successfully operating your business and ensuring the wellbeing and safety of workers and building patrons. Even with businesses stepping up their cleaning protocols and the rollout of the vaccine, people are still more conscious of the spread of germs and illness, and expectations around cleanliness of indoor spaces has risen.

A

ccording to research by Open Works, a US national facility management and commercial cleaning service provider “employees are even more concerned about cleanliness and disinfecting in the workplace now than they were in May 2020” with one-third of employees saying that “not enough is being done”.

The survey goes on to point out that “73 percent of employees expected their workplace to be cleaned daily” while 62 percent of respondents want their “workspace disinfected daily”.

The heightened awareness around the health and cleanliness of indoor spaces is not likely to go away anytime soon. Businesses will need to stay on top of daily cleaning routines, meet increased expectations, and address the increased cleaning workload in order to get back to business “as usual”.

The key in tackling these expectations is to realise some of the major sources of contamination. Flooring, for example, is one of the largest high-touch areas for most businesses and should therefore not be ignored.

While the focus has largely been on sanitising and disinfecting places where hands touch common spaces, it is important to note, and imperative to overall building health, not to overlook the necessity of clean flooring.

Not only do clean floors help spread a positive perception or clean ‘message’, but consistently cleaned floors can help reduce the spread of dust particles and contaminants that get brushed back up into the air. Further to this, consistent and reliable cleaning of floors can help prolong the life of the actual flooring materials which can help reduce flooring-related accidents due to aged and weathered materials.

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African Cleaning Review May/June 2021

1. Cleaning for Health There are many things to consider when understanding why floor cleaning is so important to our health, but here are a few points: • The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) points out that dust and pollutants can be carried inside from outdoors on shoes and clothing. These pollutants can contain toxic chemicals depending on where a person has been or what the environment surrounding the building contains.

A recent article published by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) notes “Flooring surfaces are in fact high-touch surfaces and need to be included in routine cleaning as well as disinfection and sanitisation protocols.”

The IICRC goes on to highlight that, due to the severity of some contaminants that can be tracked into indoor spaces, it is imperative that floor cleaning routines include the proper vacuuming, scrubbing, and

While the focus has largely been on sanitising and disinfecting places where hands touch common spaces, it is important to note, and imperative to overall building health, not to overlook the necessity of clean flooring.

• These contaminants end up resting on surfaces, specifically flooring, and can even be re-dispersed into the air as people or equipment move throughout a space. This can cause the spread of germs, allergens, and even toxic contaminants that make people sick.

• People who are sensitive to dust and allergens have an even harder time focusing and working in places that are not routinely cleaned – this means regular dusting, wiping down of surfaces, and cleaning floors.

• Keeping communal spaces clean can help improve employee performance as well as productivity by reducing absences related to allergies and illness, saving companies money.

use of sanitisers and disinfectants specified for each flooring type in order to help stop the spread of germs and pollutants throughout a facility.

Using innovative and intelligent floor cleaning equipment like floor scrubbers and sweepers can help cleaning teams tackle the added workload. Many of these sweepers and scrubbers are powered by lithiumion batteries that extend run time and help save money due to the long-life cycle.

2. Cleaner floors improve indoor air quality Research continues to grow regarding the transmission of viruses through the air. The coronavirus, being the most current example, has shown us

feature floorcare

that particles can travel through the air we breathe. More importantly, these virus particles also settle on surfaces and can be redistributed when stirred up due to surfaces being touched.

This is true for the particles that land on flooring too.

Research done by the Centres for Disease Control (CDC) demonstrated how coronavirus particles were tracked from patient treatment rooms to other parts of the hospital on the shoes of doctors and nurses.

This reiterates why consistent floor cleaning is imperative. It can also help improve our overall air quality.

One way to tackle both issues is by using equipment that utilises HEPA filters such as Whiz, the autonomous vacuum sweeper distributed by ICE Robotics and SoftBank Robotics.

The HEPA filter in Whiz is shown to improve the cleanliness of air 800% more effectively than other similar equipment due to the ability of HEPA filters to capture micro-particles.

Plus, since Whiz is autonomous it can be dispersed into areas that need cleaning without adding additional bodies to the environment – this can help reduce the number of debris and particles that are stirred back into the air due to foot traffic.

Once a surface has been properly vacuumed, floor scrubbing machines can be used with proper sanitisers and disinfectants to help eliminate viruses on floors, thus reducing the likelihood of these being dispersed back into the air.

3. Clean floors = safe floors Keeping your floors maintained and clean is imperative to the safety of anyone in your facility. Slip, trip and fall accidents are the cause of hundreds of deaths and thousands of preventable injuries annually, and most of the time these can be prevented with proper floor care and upkeep.

Keeping floors clean and dried appropriately not only helps prevent the spread of contaminants that can be life-threatening but can also help extend the life of your flooring, resulting in floor materials that are not cracked and falling apart which can sometimes be the cause of injuries.

Routine floorcare helps you and your team monitor aging flooring (meaning you can replace and repair more regularly) and can also help to keep water damage at bay with increased attention to problem areas.

Ensure any spills or leaks are cleaned up immediately and keep your floors in top condition. Clean and safe floors are key to keeping your building a place that is safe and healthy for all patrons.

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feature floorcare

Need to know facts about commercial floor cleaning Cleaning commercial VCT (Vinyl Composite Tile) and laminates Vinyl and laminate flooring continue to grow in popularity due to the many styles and colour options, ease of installation, as well as the durability.

Some of these options are waterresistant and most are easy to clean.

However, it is important to read the manufacturer directions as not all these types of flooring are waterresistant and exposure to water and steam can be damaging. Water and steam can loosen the adhesive or soak into the material and expand it, ruining the floor. Regular sweeping and light mopping is the best way to keep these floor types in good shape, and any spills should be addressed immediately and spot cleaned.

Cleaning commercial wooden floors Wood flooring in all its beautiful glory, can be difficult to maintain.

This is because wood is porous and will absorb liquids. Water will stain and damage the wood, so keeping wood floors dry is priority number one! Always be sure to clean up spills immediately and spot clean any areas where soilage has happened.

In general, wood floors should be vacuumed daily and dry mopped with a soft dust mop to help extend the sheen. And, as always, be sure to use only wood flooring specific deep cleaner when it is time to work on that shine again.

Cleaning commercial tile floors Tile flooring can be tricky due to the use of grout. While the tiles themselves are relatively easy to clean, grout takes a little more care.

Therefore, it is particularly important to keep tile floors routinely cleaned and regular maintenance will result in less staining.

For commercial settings, using a walk-behind or ride-on floor cleaning machine will do the trick.

These machines scrub the floor using a combination of water and a commercial grade floor cleaning solution. However, the reality of tiled floors is that the grout is not level with the tiles, thus the grouting can be left uncleaned during the process. It is therefore imperative to do adequate research regarding the appropriate brush for the job, as well as to determine the correct amount of pad pressure necessary to get the job done.

SAVE THE DATE

www.cleantex.co.za

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African Cleaning Review May/June 2021

Cleaning commercial concrete floors Concrete flooring can be porous and should be treated with a commercial finishing treatment to help stop staining.

To begin, the floor should be swept thoroughly to make sure debris is completely removed. It can be helpful to use a commercial floor sweeper to speed up this process and, depending on the size and frequency of the job, you may eventually have to use a rideon sweeper. A crucial component of this is choosing the correct brush for the head of the machine. For concrete flooring you’ll want to use the appropriate bristles for the job that also work to clean and accommodate the porous nature of concrete.

Once the dirt and debris have been completely removed from the space, using a commercial scrubber, again with the appropriate brush, is beneficial in helping to lift stains or harder-to-clean areas of the floor.

Using a sound all-purpose cleaner can be a safe way to finish cleaning the concrete floor but, as with all cleaning products, be sure to read the manufacturer’s label and follow the directions.

Source: www.icerobo.com

editorial GCE

NEW BRAND OFFERING FROM GCE Goscor Cleaning Equipment (GCE) now offers the IPC brand – the latest addition of Greg Venter

professional cleaning equipment to the company’s product offering.

One supplier for two brands The Tennant-owned company manufactures their products in Italy and offers an affordable value line, delivering award-winning environmental cleaning equipment solutions.

“Tennant is a world leader in designing, manufacturing, and marketing solutions that empower customers to achieve quality cleaning performance, significantly reduce their environmental impact and help create a cleaner, safer, healthier world. Its products include equipment for maintaining surfaces in industrial, commercial and outdoor environments; detergentfree and other sustainable cleaning technologies,” says GCE MD Greg Venter.

Since 1984, Goscor Cleaning Equipment (GCE), part of the Goscor Group of Companies, has prided itself in providing its customers with the ultimate cleaning solution from a wide range of quality world-class brands to suit almost every cleaning application. The company has been supplying the renowned Tennant brand of cleaning equipment

since its inception, enabling the company to grow into one of the leading commercial and industrial cleaning companies in Southern Africa today.

Adding another world-leading brand to their range of quality commercial and industrial cleaning equipment bolsters GCE’s reputation for reliability and performance. While the IPC brand is not new to the South African market, GCE was the clear choice as the distributor of both brands (Tennant as well as IPC) thanks to the company’s stock holding, service capabilities and back-up support.

“IPC manufactures small- to mid-sized commercial cleaning machines and equipment, including floor sweepers and scrubbers, vacuum cleaners, high-pressure washers, and related aftermarket parts and services. IPC was acquired by the Tennant Company in 2018, thereby expanding Tennant’s own product portfolio to cleaning tools and supplies, such as multi-purpose cleaning trolleys, window-washing systems, antibacterial microfiber mops and cloths, and a wide array of consumables,” adds Venter.

IPC value line GCE will be focusing on this value line in three product segments: commercial equipment, floor care equipment, and high-pressure cleaners branded as Portotecnica.

The IPC vacuum cleaners and extractors (also referred to as small equipment) offer the best in terms of reliability, quality, durability, and robustness from over 40 years of experience. All scrubbers and sweepers offer high productivity and reliability in small to medium areas.

GCE Sales Director, Peter Esterhuizen believes that IPC range of equipment is safe, easy to use, durable and will add versatility to the GCE offering.

The IPC range will be available on standard GCE maintenance plans, providing customers with minimum downtime and lowest total cost of ownership.

For more information visit: www.goscorcleaning.co.za

African Cleaning Review May/June 2021

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editorial Numatic International

Make floor cleaning a priority When it comes to reducing the spread of germs in an indoor environment, a major concern is that many diseases are spread through coughing, sneezing and talking.

One surface that is often overlooked is flooring. Floors are the largest reservoir for contaminants. Unfortunately, contaminants do not remain on the floors, they are tracked throughout facilities on shoes. Flooring surfaces are, in fact, high-touch surfaces and need to be included in routine cleaning, disinfection and sanitising protocols.

In many facilities, cleaning flooring with a good-quality neutral cleaner with regular frequency may be sufficient. Determining the type of floor being cleaned is essential. Sanitisation and disinfection are distinct processes that call for specific applications of products meant for use on different types of materials. Disinfectants are designed for pre-cleaned, hard, non-porous surfaces such as vinyl composition tile, terrazzo and vinyl.

Pre-cleaning is a crucial first step that removes soil and other debris forming a barrier between the disinfectant and organisms targeted. Sanitising products are intended for use on porous and semi-porous surfaces such as wood, carpet and other textiles.

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Floor cleaning guidelines: • Clean floors last, after all other environmental surfaces • Clean floors at least once daily (per 24-hour period) or as often as specified • Always clean by starting at the cleanest areas and working toward the dirtiest areas • Always clean at a point furthest from the exit, moving toward the exit • If using a mop system, use separate cleaning and rinse buckets • Change mops and buckets of cleaning solutions as often as needed – when they are visibly soiled or after cleaning each room or area • Always use signage to convey slip-and-fall hazards.

COVID-19 has changed how cleaning for health is viewed and its impact on the cleaning industry will be here for years to come. Floors and other highly visible areas have always set the bar for cleanliness within a building. Now floors can assure customers of a healthy indoor environment.

For more information visit: www.numatic.co.za

editorial EIE Group

Offering a total industrial equipment solution

As part of the JSE-listed enX Group, with representation across Southern Africa, the United Kingdom and Ireland, the EIE Group offers a total industrial equipment solution by providing best-in-class material handling and industrial equipment from respected brands and delivers lifetime value for our customers. In doing so we reduce our customers’ operating costs, leading to a reduction in downtime and an increase in operation profitability and efficiency. At EIE, we believe that understanding the needs of our customers is essential

to fulfilling our commitment to adding value, as well as remaining relevant and competitive in a fast-paced and ever-changing business environment.

Our various business units and products complement one another, creating synergy and presenting a total solution to meet and exceed any requirements.

As the specialists in industrial cleaning and municipal machinery, Industrial Cleaning is committed to providing customers with value-driven industrial cleaning solutions. It offers a wide range of products, accessories,

technical support, parts, maintenance plans and much more from some of the industry’s leading brands such as Hako.

Hako is a leading manufacturer of premium cleaning equipment and municipal technology. The German manufacturer’s expertise lies in efficient cleaning technology, including versatile scrubber dryers, sweepers, city cleaners, combined sweepers and a range of application chemicals.

For more information about Hako industrial equipment or janitorial trolley systems contact: sonia@eiegroup.co.za

Advertise in the primary African trade magazine for the commercial cleaning and hygiene sectors.

Reach your target market cost-effectively with a direct link to end-users, building service contractors, facility management and key institutional segments.

For more information regarding advertising / editorial / digital packages, email: nande@cleantex.co.za

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facilities management review

How to drive warehouse optimisation in a pandemic Phil Lewis, Infor VP Solution Consulting EMEA, looks at how COVID-19 has accelerated the need for a truly optimised warehouse. Testament to this is that customers already using cloud solutions had a much easier time adapting

Phil Lewis

to last year’s disruption, making the necessary adjustments as needed.

I

t’s been suggested by many experts that the current pandemic has driven accelerated technology adoption across numerous industries.

Undoubtedly, some businesses were caught off guard when COVID-19 brought about substantial disruption, from higher volumes of e-commerce, a skeleton workforce in some areas, and intermittent shutdowns. Whether for distributors of professional trade and industrial products or safety and medical supplies, this means optimising warehouse operations... but just what, exactly, does this mean?

One of the most critical points for distributors to consider is that all activities which take place within the warehouse have a direct impact on their relationship with customers. The challenge here is that the goals, and indeed the goalposts, are seemingly constantly changing. The pandemic has brought several simultaneous challenges to warehouse operations. The most obvious is that the pandemic has made for workforce inconsistency, as team members deal with illness, quarantine, or childcare demands, putting pressure on teams and impeding productivity.

Another point is that growth in e-commerce is outpacing even the most bullish of prior estimates, with customers having established high standards for an omni-channel experience. In 2021, if you don’t have an omni-channel fulfilment strategy, you risk losing out on a lot of business.

Therefore, having a warehouse which can effectively fulfil many channels optimally is key. This challenge is particularly pertinent as many

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warehouse management systems (WMS) out there are pretty old and simply don’t have the capacity to provide this optimised fulfilment.

A common misconception is that optimised fulfilment is just about getting the product out of the door on time.

In fact, while this is of course crucial, optimised fulfilment is about adding value to fulfilment, despite the inability to offer face-to-face services. The ability to go above and beyond in the name of the customer experience requires the right digital foundation in place to facilitate these efforts effectively.

This time of business disruption saw many distributors hunkering down and attempting to trim the fat off already extremely lean processes. If inventory is incrementally managed more effectively based on greater transparency across your organisation, it can equate to huge amounts of savings.

A WMS system designed specifically to keep costs streamlined through intelligent inventory insights can help distributors have more confidence that they can meet their customer commitments without needing to buy and stock more than necessary. So, we look at warehouse operations to control purchasing, and certainly control any lost inventory or inventory that’s walking out the door as a result of it not being managed or tracked properly.

On-premises was once the accepted standard in wholesale distribution, but it’s no longer offering the flexibility and innovation needed in today’s business environments. Where cloud really shines is in managing increased throughput in the warehouse. Cloud

provides the capability to calculate the increased throughput quickly, and then automatically add the additional computing power necessary for that increased throughput. The security, reliability and built-in disaster recovery all go without saying, but it’s the ability to handle this increased throughput automatically, at any given moment, which truly adds value.

Optimising e-commerce isn’t as simple as streamlining pick-pack-ship.

There are new variables that need to be considered, including what happens to the product once it leaves the dock, and many distributors have been caught offguard by the number of returns they’ve needed to process.

As a consumer in the e-commerce world, they might buy something in three different sizes or three different colours, and then return two of the three. It is now evident that something similar is happening to wholesale distributors.

Distributors must have a system that allows them to accept that return seamlessly and get it back on the shelf in an effective manner.

In achieving this, distributors are not only optimising their fulfilment, but designing a strategy for the digital economy which boosts performance and expands market share.

Infor is a global leader in business cloud software specialised by industry. Providing mission-critical enterprise applications to 67 000 customers in more than 175 countries, Infor software is designed to deliver more value and less risk, with more sustainable operational advantages. For more information visit: www.infor.com

facilities management review

Washrooms reflect a facility’s overall hygiene Research shows that many employees are less confident about their health and safety at work and more aware of hygiene practices since the COVID-19 pandemic started.

T

he washroom is often viewed as a reflection of a business’ overall hygiene standards. In this abridged Twin FM article Paul Swift of washroom services company, Elis, outlines six questions businesses can ask themselves to help improve their washrooms and build employee confidence.

1. How clean and tidy does your washroom look?

Employees want to feel confident that the washroom is being cleaned regularly and properly. Consider improving your cleaning regime and its frequency and communicate these improvements to your employees.

If you have overflowing bins and messy, dripping soap dispensers, move to a larger bin, empty more frequently or consider a sustainable cotton roller towel or efficient electric hand dryer.

Choose soap dispensers with anti-drip design.

or you can use a cost-effective and maintenance-free air purifier to kill bacteria and viruses and eliminate odours, without the need for chemicals or fragrances.

3. A re you providing the best soap for employee needs?

We are all washing our hands more frequently, but are you providing the most appropriate soap for your employees? There are many liquid and foam soaps designed to meet the needs of different businesses, such as certified sanitising soap for the food industry, heavy-duty cleaning soap for the removal of oil and grease and gentle hand soap that also kills bacteria.

It’s also important to provide hand sanitiser in washrooms and other key locations around the business. A freestanding hand sanitising station, with no-touch, anti-drip sanitiser dispenser make suitable positioning easier.

2. Does Your washroom smell?

4. A re you providing good hand drying facilities?

Ensuring your washroom passes the ‘nose test’ is really important.

Regular cleaning and waste disposal is important, but it’s also easy to add effective air freshening or air purifying.

Wall-mounted air freshening units will release fragrances into the air,

Damp hands can spread more germs, so it’s important to provide employees with hand drying solutions that work.

Elis’ electric hand dryer suggestions include fast and quiet Dyson dryers, with no-germ HEPA filter and antimicrobial coating, and Dyson taps

that wash and dry. Paper towels are available folded or in rolls, and cotton roller towel comes in a dispenser that keeps the used and fresh towel separate, with the roll re-used after going through Elis’ industrial laundry process, for a more sustainable alternative.

5. Are you maximising hygiene with no-touch equipment?

It’s important to minimise touchpoints in all areas, and it’s easy to do this in the washroom. You can choose notouch soap and sanitiser dispensers which automatically dispense when hands are placed underneath, as well as no-touch electric hand dryers, paper roll dispensers and feminine hygiene bins.

6. Is your washroom always wellstocked?

Empty soap dispensers and cubicles with no toilet tissue are common frustrations for employees. The right products can make it quicker and easier to keep the washroom clean and functioning. Long-lasting soap and sanitiser dispensers, with easy to use, refill pouches, and toilet roll dispensers with practical inspection windows and easy roll replacement are two examples.

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laundry review

The chemistry of laundry Laundry is as much a science as it is practical arts. As the most senior laundry professional sitting in the National Board of Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers, Romy Apolega often reminds fellow engineers of the huge application of chemical engineering principles in the science of cleaning – starting with the Sinner’s Circle – the principle that governs any good wash.

The Sinner’s Circle tells us the four factors affecting cleaning techniques, namely temperature, mechanical action, time, and chemical action. (In laundry, water is at the centre of that circle). These factors should be adjusted to effectively remove different types of dirt.

Now, I have written about water and temperature before, while you will certainly have heard of the terms “laminar” and “turbulent” flows which washers create as mechanical action. What many take for granted in the Sinner’s Circle is chemistry – the chemicals we use to wash our clothes.

While the principles of detergents and washing chemicals have remained the same after nearly 40 years, many in the laundry industry fail to appreciate the role of chemicals in ensuring clothes come out clean and undamaged. There are certainly more types of chemicals, ones that are very specific to the needs of the product, and understanding each is key to answering the question: Is it clean?

Laundry chemicals play a major role to remove soil and return the fabric to its original colour by dissolving the organic and inorganic materials foreign and superfluous to the fabric fibres. Utmost proper direction to use is observed for application and care, and I would argue that DIY, hybrid and commercial laundry businesses should even resort to titration to establish the best possible condition to dissolve and remove the soils from the fabric.

In applying chemicals, one should think of a variety of factors: locations, machines, water condition, fabric fibre, soil, and temperature. Remember this: No laundry is the same as far as suitable, proper, and appropriated and titrated conditions are concerned. There are too many variables: machines, water, the kind of fabric your customer typically brings in, and many more. Each laundry has its own identity, thus a specialised and tailored matching chemical program as far as chemicals are concerned is established.

The roles of chemicals are as follows: • Wetting and re-wetting • Emulsification • Saponification • Mineral sequestration/ dissolution • Soil suspension

• Optical brightening • Bleaching • Lubrication of fibre for softness • Disinfection • Stiffening

There are three kinds of chemicals we use in the laundry business: 1. Pre-spotting chemicals – stain-removing compounds 2. Chemicals for wash and dry laundry process 3. Dry cleaning I will now tackle the first two.

Pre-spotting chemicals Be conscious that there is no one-size-fits-all pre-spotting chemical. Each stain is unique. Chemicals are available to combat these.

• Rust removers • Ink, oil, carbon, lipstick removers • Dye uptake remover • Bloodstain remover

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laundry review Laundry washing chemicals These are the bulk of the chemicals you need. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to eliminate viruses, I recommend using disinfectant on the last rinse.

1.

Alkali – powder or liquid, also known as Break, Booster, Builder.

This compound is used in prewash or main wash to break down heavy soils and blood.

2.

Detergent – not soap, powder or liquid, the main wash player, completely synthetic, contains surfactants, anionics, non-ionics, water conditioner, soil-suspending material, optical brightener, enzyme, and alkaline.

3.

Bleach – can either be chlorinebased for whites or oxygen-based for all colours. There are many types of chlorine such as slow release and fast release; powder or liquid.

4.

Sour (acid) – powder or liquid.

Used in the last rinse for neutralisation in case of excess

alkalinity. Dissolves minerals and iron too.

5. Fabric softener (conditioners) – powder or liquid used in the last rinse for softening of fibres and fabric with or without fragrance.

6.

Fabric stiffener – last rinse application. Used for stiffening of caps, uniform, cloth napkins, table cloths, and uniform. Instant or boiling type.

7.

Flatwork lubricant – cleaning of rollers, ironers for smooth, and non-crease ironing.

8.

Fabric cologne/spray – fragrance application to the finished items.

9.

Disinfectant – applied before and after wash for protection from viruses

proper wash alkalinity, chlorine determination, iron content determination, and excess alkalinity determination. Titration ensures that your chemical usage is efficient, avoids chemical damage to your client’s fabric, and it helps you gain savings.

Your chemical supplier should tell you more about this (titration), and you in turn should request their advice. Otherwise, it is likely that your supplier is not as aware of the science of cleaning. At the end of the day, your customers will suffer if your chemical suppliers underdeliver and overpromise.

Romy Apolega, a chemical engineer by profession, is the Philippines’ leading expert

Titration

in commercial laundry and industrial sanitation

Now that you are familiar with the standard chemicals used in laundry, I end with a note on titration.

Titration is always recommended to establish the optimum needed results for a better laundry finish,

with 47 years of unparalleled experience in the field. He is credited for scaling up the businesses of major players in the industry and the development of product solutions that modernised the laundry and institutional sanitation processes in the country.

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people and events Entrepreneur profile Cleaning services across the world have seen a huge increase in demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, with hygiene remaining firmly under the spotlight as a key measure to combat the coronavirus.

This piece sheds more light on how two cleaning service entrepreneurs set themselves apart in a new era of cleanliness.

This is an industry where a substandard service can literally put people’s lives at risk which highlights the need for a high level of service with all areas covered.

“The pandemic has raised the importance of the role of cleaners in a world where cleaning was often regarded as lowly employment. Cleaners were not really considered that important to a business, but that has now changed,” says owner of Reaipela Cleaners, Tshiamo Setenane.

She went on to say, “We are at a stage where hygiene is everything and the contribution of cleaners is important. I have observed that cleaners, especially in offices, often look down on themselves.

I want to change that, they need to understand the contribution they make to the success of a business.”

And while most regard washing, vacuuming, dusting, polishing and shining to be dreaded chores, Setenane said her passion for cleaning started as a young girl.

“I just love cleaning and I do it effortlessly. I grew up in an environment where everything was spotless. When I walk into a house which is dirty, I get excited, I look forward to the end result in transforming that space. Nothing gives me more satisfaction than seeing the joy on a client’s face when we have finished a cleaning job.”

Tshiamo Setenane

Shannon Buys

Having previously been employed in the banking sector, Setenane started her cleaning company in 2017 following a conversation with a friend who suggested she combine her love for cleanliness with her drive to help women. As a single mother of two, Setenane said, “It just made sense to combine the two, my obsession for cleaning and empowering other women. To employ a woman is to feed and educate a child. It was the right path for me, the missing piece of the puzzle fell into place,” she said.

Also in the cleaning industry, coowner of The Laundry Specialist in Polokwane, Shanon Buys said, “Going into 2021 and given the pandemic, the focus is on cleanliness and good hygiene. I think one of the most important aspects of the cleaning industry is about educating your clients on how to keep a property, residential or business, in a state of good hygiene and that it’s affordable to do so.

It’s about maintenance and regular check-ups which will minimise the cost. Plus, it can be done in stages, for example, you can clean the garage, the storeroom or the kitchen space and it does not have to be done all at once.”

Buys and business partner, Rami Raphadu joined forces in 2017 with their core clients being in the hospitality industry. The coronavirus

pandemic had a severe impact on hotels and restaurants; however, Buys said they also service private households, with a collect and delivery laundry service and a walk-in laundromat.

“When it comes to pressure, I like to tackle one challenge at a time, find a solution, consult where necessary, plan and organise,” adds Buys.

Buys always had a passion to have his own business and create employment, and saved the cash to get started. “Quality service goes a long way, I always teach tricks and tips to my clients when it comes to laundry.

You also have to have a willingness to explore and better yourself [in] what you are doing,” he said.

Both Reaipela Cleaners and the Laundry Specialist have highlighted the importance of using eco-friendly cleaning products.

“One of our most important aspects is taking care of the environment.

We test different suppliers and manufacturers and we do use SABSapproved chemicals,” said Buys.

Setenane added, “We definitely make use of chemicals which are non-toxic. In addition, I keep up with trends when it comes to the use of our cleaning chemicals and I always keep a lookout for new products and innovative cleaning strategies.”

NCCA elects new National VP Lennox Batchelor was elected National Vice President of the National Contract Cleaners Association (NCCA). Batchelor is currently the GM Industrial Relations at Bidvest Prestige and has been with the company for the past 14 years. He is also an employer trustee of the Contract Cleaning National Provident Fund, a division of NBC. Batchelor holds a BCom Honours degree in business management, specialising in human resource management.

Lennox Batchelor

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people and events Former cleaner becomes a primary school teacher A 47-year-old Cape Town mother of two, Natasha Dietrich received her Bachelor of Education degree from the University of the Western Cape (UWC) on 5 May 2021. She’s proof that learning is a lifelong journey and that it’s never too late to start.

After years of working as a cleaner, with only a matric qualification, Dietrich packed away her overalls to teach Grade 5 and 6 mathematics and social science at the Dr Van der Ross Primary School since January 2021.

It was her work as a cleaner at UWC that first sparked Dietrich’s desire to study further, she explained. Dietrich started at UWC as a casual cleaning worker with Bidvest Prestige in 2011, and was employed permanently in 2014.

“As I worked in ResLife, where the students spent time studying, I found

myself surrounded by an environment of learning. I also witnessed the students’ commitment and their struggles. I thought to myself, ‘If they can do it, so can I’.”

In 2015, on the final day of student registration, Dietrich decided to submit her online application. “I was honestly a bit scared when I was accepted. I thought, now I have to face the reality that I will have to study and work.”

She attended classes at UWC during the day, before starting her eighthour cleaning shift at 15h00. Most of her assignments were completed at night. Dietrich says her success would not have been possible without the support of her children, aged 18 and 30, and her husband. “I knew that I had to do something, and that I had to make a difference. I come from a very

Natasha Dietrich poor community where there is a lot of unemployment and gangsterism,” explained Dietrich. Afforded the opportunity to study at UWC, which also paid her fees, Dietrich opted for a degree in teaching. Dietrich celebrated her success recently with her former colleagues at Bidvest Prestige.

Collaboration offers the best hygiene option

Norman Smith (left) with Trevor Ackerman

Trevor Ackerman, MD of Impact Soft Services (ISS) and Norman Smith, CEO of Costa Lambrianos Group (CLG), recently concluded an agreement to supply hygiene dispensing equipment and consumables for a University of Johannesburg (UJ) tender, which was recently awarded to Impact Soft Services. ISS has an extensive track record over many years of servicing some of the largest universities in the Gauteng province and, together with Smith and his team, were able to offer products from the CLG’s product range of which their client approved.

In addition, the pest control services contract was awarded to ISS, thereby raising the company’s profile as a prominent provider of soft services in the education sector.

Over the past eight years, the new CLG team has built on the foundation and legacy of the late Costa Lambrianos by developing product ranges that meet the needs of many different industries. Initially known for importing and marketing the Xlerator hand driers, CLG identified a need to develop a hygiene dispensing range that would meet market needs for reliable, cost-effective products that would add value to their services.

With this in mind, and with the combined experience of the team, various product ranges were identified, and ongoing research and development with their supply chain partners have resulted in a wide range, from entry-level to upmarket colour-coded dispensers,

as well as stainless steel versions. The Harmony range, which UJ has opted for, and the company’s signature range feature 500 ml and 800 ml versions of the soap dispensers available in white, platinum, black, and powder-coated mild steel and brushed stainless steel.

One of the main features of the units is that the dispensers can deliver various soaps and sanitisers without changing the dispenser and the ability to turn the dispenser into a top-up dispenser.

UJ’s tender requirements for the supply of hygiene and dispensing equipment were specific; these included a robust design and aesthetically pleasing aspects. In addition, the consumables used in the dispensers needed to be of high standards with the necessary certification. Ackerman and Smith concurred that the two companies look forward to collaborating in keeping the University of Johannesburg safe for future leaders.

Do you have any company news, new appointments or celebrations to share in the People and Events section of African Cleaning Review? Then get in touch with us at: africancleaningreview@cleantex.co.za

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new products Air purifier that eliminates airborne viruses Rentokil Initial South Africa recently announced an agreement to distribute VIRUSKILLERTM, air purification technology which is proven to kill 99.9999 percent of viruses with a single air pass, including the coronavirus. It comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) recently updated information on its website that recognises that the coronavirus can be transmitted from person to person via aerosols in the air.

Despite WHO recognition of coronavirus transmission (air-toperson) via aerosols, research commissioned by Rentokil Initial reveals a lack of awareness of this risk amongst the public. Just over one in five (22%) of those surveyed revealed they are concerned about catching the virus from contaminated air.

Interestingly, the research did find that over three in five (64%) were more concerned about the air quality

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in indoor environments now than they were prior to the pandemic. As a result of these concerns, 59 percent of consumers believe air purification systems should be mandatory in public buildings and educational facilities.

Unlike traditional air purifiers that can ‘trap’ airborne particles and microbes, the VIRUSKILLERTM also decontaminates the air, by not only trapping but also killing airborne viruses, bacteria and fungi. When placed correctly, the unit takes control of the airflow in a room, drawing contaminated air in from the ‘breathing zone’ and then releasing fresh, clean air back into the breathing zone.

As well as deploying carbon and

HEPA filters, VIRUSKILLERTM uses patented ultraviolet-C (UVC) lamps, surrounded by a mesh of chromed nano titanium dioxide tube filters that are polished with activated carbon. The emitted UV light reacts with the mesh, and in a process called ‘photocatalytic oxidation’ produces hydroxyl radicals, which acts as a disinfectant and breaks down the organic molecules.

This all-in-one solution effectively filters dirty air, neutralises toxic air and decontaminates sick air.

For further information about the new air purifying technology or about the research conducted visit: www.initial.co.za or call: 0800 777788

new products Foam soap secures new hygiene standard Tork, an Essity brand recently launched the new Clarity Foam soap which is biodegradable and EU Ecolabel certified. The soap ingredients are said to be 99 percent of natural origin and has a low impact on aquatic life.

Product features are: • Washing ingredients are from renewable sources (vegetable origins) and selected for their lower impact on aquatic life. Based upon the EU Ecolabel, CDV (Critical Dilution Volume) related to toxicity to aquatic organisms is below specified limits and is two times lower than the Tork Mild Foam soap formula • The formula is readily biodegradable based on third-party lab testing

according to OECD 301B (an aerobic biodegradation test) • 35 percent lower water consumption based on an internal panel test in comparison with Tork Mild Foam soap • Certified effortless maintenance.

Intuitive refilling in less than 10 seconds. Certified by the Swedish Rheumatism Association, tested by people with limited hand strength based on internal panel test soap refilling time • The factory-sealed bottle with a new pump for every refill helps reduce risk of contamination For additional information contact: kirsty.collard@essity.com

* When independently tested against Coronavirus DF2 (a surrogate for Coronavirus), Adenovirus, Influenza and Polio, the unit was found to kill 99.9999% of viruses on a single air pass.

1 https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/coronavirus-disease-covid-19-how-is-it-transmitted 2 Research conducted by Opinium LLP for Rentokil Initial. Conducted 20-22 November 2020 sampling 2 000 adults in the UK **When independently tested against reference bacteria (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Staphyloccus aureus subsp. Aureus, Streptoccocus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli), the unit was found to kill 99.9999% of bacteria on a single air pass.

Ultraviolet technology for health and safety in occupied spaces As we edge our way back into the “new normal”, we have experienced all types of sanitising protocols and cleaning tools that made an appearance during COVID-19. However, the uncertainty is still there and the likelihood of going back to the old normal is unrealistic at this stage.

FAR UVC AFRICA offers a wide range of new products that Sanit ation Gate are completely safe and autonomous way for humans. The technology can supply a myriad of occupied spaces with safe and continuous disinfection that protects clients, employees, students and guests against any airborne and surface pathogens, including COVID-19. Having to meet the needs of any occupied space, there are a variety of options available that can make this easier to achieve. Some of the company’s products include: Ceiling Mount/Pendant Luminaire 150 w: Constructed of an aluminium and steel housing, this fitting covers an area of 55 sqm and is ideally suited for any environment that

has high ceilings. The ability to attach steel cables allows the installer to height-adjust the unit for maximum disinfection capabilities. Ideal for continuous disinfection in larger areas such as manufacturing facilities, retail environments and reception areas.

Sanitation Gateway 1200 w: Built for sanitation at any point of entry, this 1200 w station gateway will sanitise in six seconds, complete with sensors and timing mechanisms that make it easy to use. No consumables or expensive maintenance needed, simply plug in and sanitise.

Hand Sanitisation: This product is able to sanitise within five seconds, making it the perfect solution for public spaces. This unit is used to replace wet hand sanitation integrated with or without a thermo reader.

Trolley Sanitation: This product is able to sanitise within 12 seconds. It is perfect for any retail space that makes use of shopping trolleys.

All products are filtered to ensure 100 percent human safety and include motion sensors to prolong the life of the globe and create true “connect and forget” technology.

The company provides human-safe far-UVC 222 nm (nanometre) sanitising light technology products that actively combats airborne and surface diseases (including COVID-19) in various environments.

For more information, visit: www.faruvcafrica.com

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CLEANLINESS FOR HEALTH

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African Cleaning Review May/June 2021

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